Shift device of transmission

ABSTRACT

A shift control ECU includes the steps of storing a position of a shift lever; starting a count-up timer when the shift lever comes to a neutral position; and recognizing a driver&#39;s request for the neutral position when a count-up timer value attains TN( 1 ) if the stored shift lever position is a home position and when a count-up timer value attains TN( 2 ) if the stored shift lever position is not the home position. Here, TN( 1 ) is set to be smaller than TN( 2 ).

This application is a divisional U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/490,236, filed Jul. 21, 2006, which is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No.10/857,973, filed Jun. 2, 2004 and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2003-172925 filed with the Japan PatentOffice on Jun. 18, 2003, the entire contents of each of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shift device for a vehicle, and moreparticularly to a shift device for shifting a shift position of atransmission in response to a signal obtained by detecting a state ofshift manipulation by a driver.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART

Examples of an automatic transmission mounted on a vehicle include agear-type automatic transmission constituted of a hydraulic couplingsuch as a torque converter and a gear transmission mechanism and acontinuously variable automatic transmission constituted of two pulleyshaving an effective diameter variable depending on a hydraulic pressureand a metal belt wound on the pulleys.

The gear-type automatic transmission is connected to an engine via ahydraulic coupling such as a torque converter. The gear-type automatictransmission is constituted of a transmission mechanism (geartransmission mechanism) including a plurality of powertrains. Forexample, the gear-type automatic transmission is structured such thatthe powertrain is automatically shifted based on a degree of acceleratorpressing down and a vehicle speed, that is, a speed change ratio isautomatically shifted (gear combination is changed). In the gear-typeautomatic transmission, a gear is determined by engagement anddisengagement of a friction element such as a clutch element, a brakeelement and a one-way clutch element into/from a prescribed state.

The continuously variable automatic transmission is also connected to anengine via a hydraulic coupling such as a torque converter. A belt-typecontinuously variable transmission, for example, achieves continuouslyvariable shift by using a metal belt and a pair of pulleys and varyingthe effective diameter of the pulleys depending on the hydraulicpressure. More specifically, an endless metal belt is wound on a pulleyon the input side attached to an input shaft and a pulley on the outputside attached to an output shaft for use. Each of the pulley on theinput side and the pulley on the output side is provided with a pair ofsheaves of which recess width is variable in a continuous manner. Byvarying the recess width, a winding radius of each of the pulley on theinput side and the pulley on the output side of the endless metal beltis varied, so that a ratio of rpm of the input shaft to the outputshaft, that is, a speed change ratio, can be varied in a continuouslyvariable manner.

In an automatic transmission of any type as described above, in general,a slide-type shift lever manipulated by a driver is provided in avehicle equipped with an automatic transmission. Shift positions (suchas a rearward drive position, a neutral position, and a forward driveposition) are set based on a sliding manipulation of the shift lever.

Recently, in addition to a shift device implemented by such a slide-typeshift lever, a shift-by-wire type shift device is also known. In theshift device of this type, shift manipulation by the driver is detectedby a sensor or a switch (sensor kinds), and one position out of aplurality of positions is selected in accordance with a detectionsignal. In addition, in the shift-by-wire type shift device, the shiftlever is not limited to a slide-type, and adoption of a joy-stick typemanipulation member or a push-button type manipulation member is alsoproposed. As to the joy-stick type manipulation member, the driver tiltsthe lever in a forward/rearward and right/left direction so as toperform shift manipulation. When the lever is not manipulated, itautomatically returns to a home position in the center by a biasingforce of a spring, for example. Therefore, if the driver takes his handoff the lever after manipulation, the lever returns to the home positionin the center, and it is no longer possible to check a currentmanipulation state from appearance.

When a push-button type manipulation member is adopted, the manipulationmember (push button) state may automatically return to apre-manipulation state after the driver finishes manipulation, and againit is impossible to check a current manipulation state from theappearance. Not only in these examples but also in a manipulation memberof other types such as a touch-screen type manipulation member thatautomatically returns to its pre-manipulation state after manipulationby the driver (hereinafter, referred to as “momentary-type manipulationmember”), it is sometimes impossible to check a manipulation state fromappearance of a shift manipulation portion. Therefore, if such amomentary-type manipulation member is adopted in the shift manipulationportion, combined with discrepancy between a position shift procedureand a manipulation procedure, the driver may have uncomfortable feeling.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2002-264684 discloses a shift device ofa vehicle capable of avoiding uncomfortable feeling of a driver due toadoption of a shift-by-wire type shift device. The shift device includesa gear range shifting mechanism, which is actuated to mechanically shiftthe actual gear ranges of a transmission; an actuator for actuating thegear range shifting mechanism; a manipulation range detecting circuitfor detecting a manipulation range representing manipulation of a shiftmanipulation portion by a driver; an actual gear range detecting circuitdetecting the actual gear range of the gear range shifting mechanism;and a controller for shifting the actual gear ranges of the transmissionby controlling the actuator in accordance with detection signals fromthe manipulation range detecting circuit and the actual gear rangedetecting circuit. The shift device of a vehicle further includes amanipulation range indicating portion for indicating the manipulationrange by the driver based on the detection signal from the manipulationrange detecting circuit. The manipulation range indicating portionallows to indicate that the manipulation range does not correspond tothe detection signal from the manipulation range detecting circuit.

According to the shift device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-OpenNo. 2002-264684, when the driver manipulates the shift manipulationportion, the actuator is driven in accordance with the manipulationrange obtained based on the detection signals from the manipulationrange detecting circuit and the actual gear range detecting circuit andthe actual gear range of the gear range shifting mechanism, and gearrange of the transmission is shifted by actuation of the gear rangeshifting mechanism. In addition, the manipulation range of the shiftmanipulation portion obtained based on the detection signal from themanipulation range detecting circuit is indicated by the manipulationrange indicating portion. By providing the manipulation range indicatingportion, it is ensured that the driver can recognize the manipulationrange that he made. In particular, when the “momentary-type”manipulation member with which it is difficult to determine themanipulation range from the appearance is adopted in the shiftmanipulation portion, it will be difficult to have the driver accuratelyrecognize the manipulation range without such a manipulation rangeindicating portion. In such a structure, a position setting of thetransmission (actual position) is not necessarily shifted insynchronization with manipulation of the shift manipulation portion bythe driver (manipulation position). According to this shift device, themanipulation range indicating portion allows to indicate that themanipulation range does not correspond to the detection signal from themanipulation range detecting circuit, and indication of the manipulationrange can be set as required in a flexible manner without being bound byshift manipulation by the driver. Therefore, the shift device can beconfigured so as to avoid or mitigate uncomfortable feeling of thedriver by modifying indication on the manipulation range indicatingportion in a flexible manner if there may be a possibility to cause suchfeeling to the driver by maintaining indication as it is while usuallyhaving him/her accurately recognize the manipulation range.

On the other hand, the shift device disclosed in Japanese PatentLaying-Open No. 2002-264684 has the following disadvantage. Thedetecting circuit detects shift manipulation by the driver through themomentary-type manipulation member. Here, when a time for determiningwhether or not the momentary-type manipulation member is located at thatposition is uniquely set, a shift position different from that requestedby the driver may be determined, depending on an environment (such as anambient temperature of the shift device, a vehicle speed, a positionrequested by the driver, a state of power transmission by a powertrain,and the like) when shift manipulation is made through the momentary-typemanipulation member. If determination is made in such a manner, thepowertrain mechanism is controlled in accordance with thatdetermination, resulting in a state not intended by the driver.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a shift device of atransmission capable of appropriately responding to a driver's requestin a shift device with a momentary function.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a shift device ofa transmission includes a path for reaching a plurality of shiftpositions, and a momentary-type movable portion manipulated so as tomove along the path by a driver. The movable portion is held in apredetermined home position when it is not manipulated by the driver.The shift device further includes a recognition circuit to recognize ashift position requested by the driver from holding of the movableportion at the shift position for a predetermined recognition time, andan output circuit to output a control signal to the transmission so asto attain a power transmission state corresponding to the recognizedshift position. The path includes the home position, a first shiftposition representing one of the plurality of shift positions, and asecond shift position representing one of the plurality of shiftpositions and provided between the home position and the first shiftposition. When it is recognized that the movable portion is located atthe first shift position, the power transmission state by thetransmission is set to a first state. When it is recognized that themovable portion is located at the second shift position, the powertransmission state by the transmission is set to a second statedifferent from the first state. The shift device further includes asetting circuit to set the recognition time in accordance with a movingdirection of the movable portion along the path.

According to the present invention, the path of the shift deviceincludes the home position, the first shift position (forward driveposition, for example), and the second shift position provided betweenthe home position and the first shift position (neutral position, forexample). The movable portion is of a momentary-type. Here, there aretwo possibilities that the movable portion is located at the secondshift position. That is, a first case is such that the driver makesmanipulation based on a request to bring a power transmission state bythe transmission to the second state and the movable portion is locatedat the second shift position, and a second case is such that, after thedriver makes manipulation based on a request to bring a powertransmission state by the transmission to the first state, the movableportion comes to the second shift position on its way to return to thehome position because of absence of manipulation by the driver. In thesecond case, the movable portion merely passes the second shiftposition, and the driver does not request the second state based on thesecond shift position. As described above, even when the movable portionis located at the same second shift position, sometimes the driverrequests the second state and sometimes not. Here, a recognition time isset in accordance with a moving direction of the movable portion alongthe path, by means of the setting circuit. Accordingly, a time forrecognizing the second shift position in the first case and a time forrecognizing the second shift position in the second case can separatelybe set. Therefore, the driver's request can appropriately be recognizedbased on a duration for which the movable portion is held at the secondshift position. As a result, a shift device of a transmission capable ofappropriately responding to the driver's request in the shift devicewith a momentary function can be provided.

Preferably, the setting circuit may include a circuit to set arecognition time for recognizing the second shift position differentlyin a case of a first moving direction in which the movable portion movesfrom the home position toward the first shift position and in a case ofa second moving direction in which the movable portion moves from thefirst shift position toward the home position.

According to the present invention, unlike the second case (the case ofthe second moving direction in which the movable portion moves from thefirst shift position toward the home position), the second shiftposition should be recognized in the first case (the case of the firstmoving direction in which the movable portion moves from the homeposition toward the first shift position). Therefore, if the recognitiontime for recognizing the second shift position is set to be short, thesecond shift position is quickly recognized. Thus the driver's requestcan appropriately be responded and the shift position can accurately berecognized. In contrast, unlike the first case, the second shiftposition is simply passed by the movable portion returning to the homeposition in the second case. Namely, recognition of the second shiftposition is not desired. Therefore, if the recognition time forrecognizing the second shift position is extended, the second shiftposition is not recognized (recognized merely as a point to pass). Thatis, appropriate response to the driver's request is provided and theshift position can accurately be recognized.

More preferably, the setting circuit may include a circuit to set arecognition time for recognizing the second shift position to be shorterin a case of the first moving direction than in a case of the secondmoving direction.

According to the present invention, unlike the second case (the case ofthe second moving direction), recognition of the second shift positionis desired in the first case (the case of the first moving direction).Therefore, if the recognition time for recognizing the second shiftposition is set to be short, the second shift position can quickly berecognized. In contrast, unlike the first case, the second shiftposition is simply passed by the movable portion returning to the homeposition in the second case. Namely, recognition of the second shiftposition is not desired. Therefore, if the recognition time forrecognizing the second shift position is extended, recognition of thesecond shift position can be avoided. In this manner, in the first case,the driver can attain the second state by the transmission solely byholding the movable portion at the second shift position for a shortperiod of time. In addition, even when a temperature of the hydraulicfluid in the shift device is low and the movable portion returns slowlyfrom the first shift position toward the home position, the second shiftposition can be recognized solely as a point to pass.

The shift device according to another aspect of the present inventionhas a configuration the same as that according to the first aspect,except for the following. The shift device includes a recognitioncircuit to recognize a shift position requested by the driver fromholding of the movable portion at the shift position for a predeterminedrecognition time, an output circuit to output a control signal to thetransmission so as to attain a power transmission state corresponding tothe recognized shift position, and a prohibition circuit to prohibitrecognition of the second shift position when the movable portion ismoved from the first shift position toward the home position.

According to the present invention, when the movable portion moves fromthe first shift position toward the home position, the second shiftposition is simply passed by the movable portion returning to the homeposition. Namely, recognition of the second shift position is notdesired. Accordingly, the prohibition circuit prohibits recognition ofthe second shift position. In this manner, even when the temperature ofthe hydraulic fluid in the shift device is low and the movable portionreturns slowly from the first shift position toward the home position,the second shift position is not recognized and can be recognized solelyas a point to pass.

The shift device according to yet another aspect of the presentinvention has a configuration the same as that according to the firstaspect, except for the following. The shift device includes arecognition circuit to recognize a shift position requested by thedriver from holding of the movable portion at the shift position for apredetermined recognition time, an output circuit to output a controlsignal to the transmission so as to attain a power transmission statecorresponding to the recognized shift position, a detection circuit todetect a temperature state of the shift device, and a modificationcircuit to modify a recognition time for recognizing the second shiftposition in accordance with the temperature state.

According to the present invention, when the movable portion moves fromthe first shift position toward the home position, the second shiftposition is simply passed by the movable portion returning to the homeposition. Here, a speed of the movable portion returning from the firstshift position via the second shift position to the home position isvaried, depending on the temperature of the hydraulic fluid in the shiftdevice. The modification circuit modifies the recognition time forrecognizing the second shift position in accordance with the temperaturestate. If the temperature is low, modification so as to extend therecognition time is made. In this manner, even when the temperature ofthe hydraulic fluid is low and the movable portion returns slowly fromthe first shift position via the second shift position toward the homeposition, the second shift position can be recognized solely as a pointto pass.

More preferably, the modification circuit includes a circuit to makemodification so as to extend a recognition time for recognizing thesecond shift position when a temperature is low.

According to the present invention, even when the temperature of thehydraulic fluid is low and the movable portion returns slowly from thefirst shift position via the second shift position to the home position,the second shift position can be recognized solely as a point to passbecause the recognition time is modified to be longer when thetemperature is low.

The shift device according to yet another aspect of the presentinvention has a configuration the same as that according to the firstaspect, except for the following. The shift device includes arecognition circuit to recognize a shift position requested by thedriver from holding of the movable portion at the shift position for apredetermined recognition time, and an output circuit to output acontrol signal to the transmission so as to attain a power transmissionstate corresponding to the recognized shift position. The path includesthe home position, a first shift position representing one of theplurality of shift positions, a second shift position representing oneof the plurality of shift positions and provided between the homeposition and the first shift position, and a third shift positionrepresenting one of the plurality of shift positions. When it isrecognized that the movable portion is located at the first shiftposition, the power transmission state by the transmission is set to afirst state. When it is recognized that the movable portion is locatedat the second shift position, the power transmission state by thetransmission is set to a second state different from the first state.When it is recognized that the movable portion is located at the thirdshift position, the power transmission state by the transmission is setto a third state equivalent to the first state and different from thesecond state. The shift device further includes a setting circuit to seta recognition time for recognizing the second shift position differentlyin a case where the third state is set and in a case where the thirdstate is not set.

According to the present invention, the path of the shift deviceincludes the home position, a first shift position (forward driveposition, for example), a second shift position provided between thehome position and the first shift position (neutral position, forexample), and a third shift position (forward drive and engine brakeactuation position, for example). The movable portion is of amomentary-type. Here, with regard to the third shift position, there aretwo vehicle states in which the movable portion is located at the secondshift position. That is, one case is such that the vehicle is in a thirdstate (forward drive state while engine brake is actuated) that a powertransmission state by the transmission corresponding to the third shiftposition is attained, and another case is such that the vehicle is notin such a third state. In the third state, when the driver moves themovable portion via the second shift position and holds it in the firstshift position (corresponding to the forward drive), the second shiftposition is merely passed. Here, the recognition time for recognizingthe second shift position can be set differently in the third state andin another state in which it is not the case. In other words, the timefor recognizing the second shift position is set separately in the thirdstate of the vehicle and in another state. Therefore, the driver'srequest can appropriately be recognized based on a duration for whichthe movable portion is held at the second shift position. As a result, ashift device of a transmission capable of appropriately responding tothe driver's request in the shift device with a momentary function canbe provided.

More preferably, the setting circuit may include a circuit to set arecognition time for recognizing the second shift position to be longerin a case where the third state is set than in a case where the thirdstate is not set.

According to the present invention, the time for recognizing the secondshift position is set differently in a case in which the vehicle is inthe forward drive and engine brake actuation state by the transmissioncorresponding to the third shift position and in another case where thevehicle is not in such a state. In the forward drive and engine brakeactuation state, the driver does not request recognition of the secondshift position, and the recognition time for recognizing the secondshift position is set to be longer. Therefore, the second shift positioncan be recognized merely as a point to pass.

The shift device according to yet another aspect of the presentinvention has a configuration the same as that according to the firstaspect, except for the following. The shift device includes arecognition circuit to recognize a shift position requested by thedriver from holding of the movable portion at the shift position for apredetermined recognition time, an output circuit to output a controlsignal to the transmission so as to attain a power transmission statecorresponding to the recognized shift position, a detection circuit todetect a speed of a vehicle equipped with the shift device, and amodification circuit to modify a recognition time for recognizing thesecond shift position in accordance with the vehicle speed.

According to the present invention, normally in a high vehicle speedstate, modification of the power transmission state by the transmissionis less likely to be requested because of drive stability of thevehicle, while it tends to be requested in a low vehicle speed state.Therefore, the predetermined recognition time is modified in accordancewith the vehicle speed, so as to adapt to the driver's request. As aresult, a shift device of a transmission capable of appropriatelyresponding to the driver's request in the shift device with a momentaryfunction can be provided.

More preferably, the modification circuit may include a circuit to makemodification so as to shorten a recognition time for recognizing thesecond shift position when the vehicle speed is low.

According to the present invention, in the low vehicle speed state wheremodification of the power transmission state by the transmission tendsto be requested, in particular, the second shift position can quickly berecognized and response to the driver's request can appropriately beprovided. In addition, the recognition time for recognizing the shiftposition requested by the driver is set shorter in the low vehicle speedstate than in the high vehicle speed state. Therefore, response to thedriver's request can appropriately be provided in the low vehicle speedstate where modification of the power transmission state by thetransmission tends to be requested.

More preferably, the first state may be limited to a forward drivestate, and the second state may be limited to a neutral state. Furtherpreferably, the first state may be limited to a forward drive state, thesecond state may be limited to a neutral state, and the third state maybe limited to a forward driving and engine brake actuation state.

According to the present invention, the forward drive state, the neutralstate, and the forward drive and engine brake actuation state canaccurately be recognized in response to the request from the driver.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of a shift manipulation systemaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 2 to 5 illustrate shift lever manipulation directions in a shiftswitch in FIG.

FIG. 6 illustrates a shift position indicator in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 illustrates a map showing a relation between a state before aneutral position is passed and a neutral position recognition time inthe shift manipulation system in the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a control configuration of a programexecuted in the shift manipulation system in the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates shift lever manipulation directions in a shift switchaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a control block diagram of a shift manipulation systemaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a relation between an atmospheric temperature of ashift switch and a time required for passing a neutral position in theshift manipulation system in the third embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a map showing a relation between a temperature and aneutral position recognition time in the shift manipulation system inthe third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a map showing a relation between a state before aneutral position is passed and a neutral position recognition time inthe shift manipulation system in a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a control configuration of a programexecuted in the shift manipulation system according to the fourthembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 illustrates a map showing a relation between a state of avehicle equipped with the shift manipulation system in a firthembodiment of the present invention and a neutral position recognitiontime.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a control configuration of a programexecuted in the shift manipulation system in the fifth embodiment of thepresent invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be describedwith reference to the figures. It is noted that the same referencecharacters refer to the same or corresponding components in thefollowing description, and denotations and functions thereof are alsothe same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

It is noted that a powertrain in a vehicle equipped with a shiftmanipulation system according to the embodiments of the presentinvention shown below is not particularly limited. For example, theautomatic transmission may be an automatic transmission having agear-type transmission mechanism or an automatic transmission having abelt-type continuously variable transmission.

In addition, a hybrid-type powertrain may be employed, in which anengine and an electric motor (motor generator) are mounted as drivingsources of a vehicle and engine power is split into vehicle drive forceand generator drive force by means of a power split device using aplanetary gear mechanism. The generated power is directly utilized fordriving the motor, or converted to direct current by an inverter so asto charge a high-voltage battery. In the planetary gear mechanism usedas a power split device as above, engine torque is input to a planetarycarrier, and its revolution power is in turn transmitted to thegenerator by a sun gear as well as to the motor and the output shaft bya ring gear. In the powertrain structured as described above, bycontrolling the motor generator connected to the planetary gearmechanism, a continuously variable transmission controlling rpm of theengine in a continuously variable manner can be achieved. In such ahybrid vehicle (HV) or an electric vehicle (EV), at a brake position,regenerative braking is attained in the forward drive state andregeneration is achieved by the motor generator.

First Embodiment

In the following, a shift manipulation system according to the firstembodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows acontrol block diagram of the shift manipulation system according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a shiftmanipulation system 100 includes a shift control ECU (Electronic ControlUnit) 1000, a shift switch 1100, a shift position indicator 1200, anECT_ECU (Electronic Controlled Automatic Transmission) 2000, anautomatic transmission 2100, and a vehicle information detecting portion3000.

Shift control ECU 1000 is connected to shift switch 1100, shift positionindicator 1200, ECT_ECU 2000, and vehicle information detecting portion3000. Shift control ECU 1000 transmits a shift control signal to ECT_ECU2000 and outputs shift position indication information to shift positionindicator 1200, based on a driver's request through manipulation ofshift switch 1100. Vehicle information detecting portion 3000 detects abrake signal of the vehicle and information such as vehicle speed andtransmits them to shift control ECU 1000.

ECT_ECU 2000 controls automatic transmission 2100 based on the shiftcontrol signal input from shift control ECU 1000.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, shift switch 1100 shown in FIG. 1 will bedescribed. Shift switch 1100 in shift manipulation system 100 accordingto the present embodiment has a momentary-type shift lever.

As shown in FIG. 2, shift switch 1100 is constituted of a shift lever1102, a first groove 1104 along which shift lever 1102 is slid, a secondgroove 1106 along which shift lever 1102 is slid, a third groove 1108along which shift lever 1102 is slid, and a fourth groove 110 alongwhich shift lever 1102 is slid.

When shift lever 1102 is moved along first groove 1104 to reach aterminal end (lower end) and held there by the driver for a time periodlonger than a predetermined time period, a brake position is set. Here,shift lever 1102 is moved as shown with an arrow 1126.

When shift lever 1102 is moved along second groove 1106 to reach aterminal end (right end) and held there by the driver for a time periodlonger than a predetermined time period, a neutral position is set.Here, shift lever 1102 is moved as shown with an arrow 1120.

When shift lever 1102 is moved along second groove 1106 to reach theterminal end (right end), further moved along third groove 1108 to reacha terminal end (upper end), and held there by the driver for a timeperiod longer than a predetermined time period, a rearward driveposition is set. Here, shift lever 1102 is moved as shown with an arrow1122.

When shift lever 1102 is moved along second groove 1106 to reach theterminal end (right end), further moved along fourth groove 1110 toreach a terminal end (lower end), and held there by the driver for atime period longer than a predetermined time period, a forward driveposition is set. Here, shift lever 1102 is moved as shown with an arrow1124.

A parking position is set by pressing a parking position button 1112.

Shift lever 1102 of shift switch 1110 shown in FIG. 2 represents thehome position, that is, a state where the driver takes his hand offshift lever 1102. As shown in FIG. 2, by moving shift lever 1102 locatedin the home position as shown with arrow 1120, the neutral position toset automatic transmission 2100 to a neutral state is set. By movingshift lever 1102 as shown with arrow 1122, the rearward drive positionto set automatic transmission 2100 to a rearward drive state is set. Bymoving shift lever 1102 as shown with arrow 1124, the forward driveposition is set. By moving shift lever 1102 as shown with arrow 1126,the forward drive and brake position to set automatic transmission 2100to a forward drive and engine brake actuation state is set.

FIG. 3 shows three patterns of passing the neutral position from thehome position. As shown in FIG. 3, when shift lever 1102 is moved fromthe home position to the forward drive position, the neutral position,and the rearward drive position, the neutral position is passed in allof these cases.

As shown in FIG. 4, when shift lever 1102 is moved from the forwarddrive position to the home position (when the driver finishes shiftmanipulation to the forward drive position and takes his hand off shiftlever 1102), shift lever 1102 returns from the forward drive positionvia the neutral position to the home position, as shown with an arrow1125.

As shown in FIG. 5, when shift lever 1102 returns from the rearwarddrive position to the home position (when the driver finishes shiftmanipulation to the rearward drive position and takes his hand off shiftlever 1102), shift lever 1102 returns from the rearward drive positionvia the neutral position to the home position, as shown with an arrow1123.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, shift lever 1102 is of a momentary-type. Thatis, when the driver takes his hand off shift lever 1102, it is alwayslocated at the home position. If the driver desires to make a shift fromthe neutral position state to the forward drive position state, forexample, he moves shift lever 1102 via the neutral position along secondgroove 1106 and fourth groove 1110 as shown with arrow 1124 in FIG. 2and holds the lever at the lower end of fourth groove 1110 for a timeperiod longer than a prescribed time period. Then, he takes his hand offshift lever 1102.

By holding shift lever 1102 at the forward drive position for a timeperiod longer than a prescribed time period, a shift request for theforward drive position by the driver is recognized. Thereafter, when thedriver takes his hand off shift lever 1102, shift lever 1102 returnsfrom the forward drive position via the neutral position to the homeposition, as shown with arrow 1125 in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 6, shift position indicator 1200 shown in FIG. 1 willbe described. As shown in FIG. 6, shift position indicator 1200 includesan arrow indicating portion 1220 indicating a shift manipulationdirection, a neutral position lamp 1202 indicating the neutral state ofautomatic transmission 2100, a forward drive position lamp 1204indicating the forward drive state of automatic transmission 2100, arearward drive position lamp 1206 indicating the rearward drive state ofautomatic transmission 2100, a brake position lamp 1208 indicating theforward drive and engine brake actuation state of automatic transmission2100, and a parking position lamp 1210 indicating the parking state.

Any one of neutral position lamp 1202, forward drive position lamp 1204,rearward drive position lamp 1206, brake position lamp 1208, and parkingposition lamp 1210 is turned on. The driver can know a current shiftposition state of the vehicle by visually checking shift positionindicator 1200 shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 illustrates a map showing a relation between a state before theneutral position is passed and a neutral position recognition time inthe shift manipulation system. As shown in FIG. 7, the neutral positionrecognition time is different, depending on a shift lever positionbefore the neutral position is passed.

The neutral position recognition time when shift lever 1102 is locatedat the home position before the neutral position is passed is set asTN(1), while the neutral position recognition time when shift lever 1102before passing the neutral position is located at the forward driveposition or the rearward drive position is set as TN(2), separately.

Here, neutral position recognition time TN(1) is set to be shorter thanneutral position recognition time TN(2) because of the followingreasons. When shift lever 1102 is moved from the home position to theneutral position by the driver, desirably, immediate recognition of theneutral position is desired. On the other hand, when shift lever 1102automatically returns from the forward drive position or the rearwarddrive position via the neutral position to the home position,recognition of the neutral position is not desired. Therefore, theneutral position recognition time is set to be longer, when the shiftlever returns from the forward drive position or the rearward driveposition to the home position.

Referring to FIG. 8, a control configuration of a program executed inshift control ECU 1000 in the shift manipulation system in the firstembodiment will now be described.

At step 1000 (hereinafter, step is abbreviated as “S”), shift controlECU 1000 detects a position of shift lever 1102. At S1002, shift controlECU 1000 stores the position of shift lever 1102. At S1004, shiftcontrol ECU 1000 determines whether or not shift lever 1102 is locatedat the neutral position. If shift lever 1102 is located at the neutralposition (YES at step S1004), the process proceeds to S1006. If shiftlever 1102 is not located at the neutral position (NO at step S1004),the process proceeds to S1008.

At S1006, shift control ECU 1000 starts a count-up timer. At S1008,shift control ECU 1000 recognizes positions other than the neutralposition. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S1024.

At S1010, shift control ECU 1000 determines whether or not the storedposition of shift lever 1102 is the home position. If the storedposition of shift lever 1102 is the home position (YES at S1010), theprocess proceeds to S1012. Otherwise (NO at S1010), the process proceedsto S1020.

At S1012, shift control ECU 1000 determines whether or not a count-uptimer value attains TN(1). If the count-up timer value attains TN(1)(YES at S1012), the process proceeds to S1014. Otherwise (NO at S1012),the process proceeds to S1016.

At S1016, shift control ECU 1000 determines whether or not shift lever1102 is located at the neutral position. If shift lever 1102 is locatedat the neutral position (YES at step S1016), the process proceeds toS1012. If shift lever 1102 is not located at the neutral position (NO atstep S1016), the process proceeds to S1018.

At S1018, shift control ECU 1000 recognizes positions other than theneutral position. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S1024.

At S1020, shift control ECU 1000 determines whether or not a count-uptimer value attains TN(2). If the count-up timer value attains TN(2)(YES at S1020), the process proceeds to S1014. If the count-up timervalue does not attain TN(2)(NO at S1020), the process proceeds to S1022.

At S1022, shift control ECU 1000 determines whether or not shift lever1102 is located at the neutral position. If shift lever 1102 is locatedat the neutral position (YES at step S1022), the process proceeds toS1020. Otherwise (NO at step S1022), the process proceeds to S1008.

At S1024, shift control ECU 1000 outputs a shift instruction to ECT_ECU2000, and provides an output to cause shift position indicator 1200 toshow a position.

An operation of the shift manipulation system according to the presentembodiment based on the above-described configuration and the flowchartwill now be discussed.

[From Home Position to Neutral Position]

In the following, an operation of the shift manipulation system when thedriver requests shift to the neutral position while shift lever 1102 isat the home position will be described. Here, the driver moves shiftlever 1102 along second groove 1106 to the neutral position as shownwith arrow 1120 in FIGS. 2 and 3 and holds shift lever 1102 at theneutral position.

When the position of shift lever 1102 is detected (S1000), the positionof the shift lever is stored (S1002). Here, the position of shift lever1102 is stored as the home position. When the shift lever is moved tothe neutral position as shown with arrow 1120 in FIGS. 2 and 3 (YES atS1004), the count-up timer is started (S1006). The position of shiftlever 1102 has been stored as the home position (YES at S1010).Therefore, when the count-up timer value attains TN(1) (YES at S1012),the neutral position is recognized (S1014).

Thereafter, the shift instruction to the neutral position is output toECT_ECU 2000, and an output to turn on neutral position lamp 1202 ofshift position indicator 1200 is provided (S1024).

Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the neutral position recognition time has beenset respectively, corresponding to the case in which shift lever 1102 islocated at the home position before the neutral position is passed, andto the case in which its position is the forward drive position or therearward drive position, and in addition, neutral position recognitiontime TN(1) is set to be shorter. Therefore, if the driver holds shiftlever 1102 at the neutral position only for a short period of time, theneutral position can be recognized.

[Shift from Forward Drive Position or Rearward Drive Position to HomePosition]

In the following, an operation of the shift lever manipulation systemwhen shift lever 1102 is moved from the forward drive position to thehome position or from the rearward drive position to the home positionas shown with arrow 1125 in FIG. 4 or arrow 1123 in FIG. 5 will bedescribed.

The position of shift lever 1102 is detected (S1000), and the positionof the shift lever is stored (S1002). Here, the forward drive positionor the rearward drive position is stored. In other words, the drivermoves shift lever 1102 from the home position to the forward driveposition or the rearward drive position and holds shift lever 1102 for atime period longer than a prescribed time period. Thereafter, he takeshis hand off shift lever 1102. Here, the shift lever position is storedas the forward drive position or the rearward drive position. When thedriver takes his hand off shift lever 1102, the shift lever returns tothe home position.

When the shift lever comes to the neutral position in returning to thehome position (YES at S1104), the count-up timer starts (S1106). As thestored shift lever position is not the home position (NO at S1010), theneutral position is not recognized unless the count-up timer attainsTN(2).

In other words, as shown in FIG. 7, neutral position recognition timeTN(2) is set to be long. As the shift lever moves from the neutralposition to the home position before the count-up timer value attainsTN(2) (NO at S1020, NO at S1022), the forward drive position or therearward drive position other than the neutral position continues to berecognized and the neutral position will not be recognized.

The shift manipulation system operates in the above-described mannerwhen the shift lever moves to the home position via the neutral positionafter the shift lever is set to the forward drive position or therearward drive position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

As described above, according to the shift manipulation system in thepresent embodiment, the path of the shift switch includes a path fromthe home position to the forward drive position; a path from the homeposition to the forward drive position and the rearward drive position;and a path from the home position to the neutral position providedbetween the forward drive position and the rearward drive position. Asthe shift lever is of a momentary-type, there are two possibilities thatthe shift lever is located at the neutral position. That is, a case inwhich the neutral position is requested, and a case in which the shiftlever passes the neutral position when it automatically returns to thehome position after the forward drive position or the rearward driveposition is requested. In such a case, the position of the shift leverbefore passing the neutral position is stored in advance. Then, if theposition of the shift lever before passing the neutral position is thehome position, the shorter neutral position recognition time is set. Onthe other hand, if the position of the shift lever before passing theneutral position is the forward drive position or the rearward driveposition, the longer neutral position recognition time is set. In thismanner, the neutral position is less likely to be recognized when theshift lever returns from the forward drive position or the rearwarddrive position to the home position. On the other hand, if the driverdesires to move the shift lever from the home position to the neutralposition, the neutral position can be recognized in a short period oftime. As a result, in a momentary-type shift device, response to thedriver's request can appropriately be provided.

Second Embodiment

In the following, a shift manipulation system according to a secondembodiment of the present invention will be described. The shiftmanipulation system according to the present embodiment is characterizedby a shift switch 1101 shown in FIG. 9 instead of shift switch 1100 inthe shift manipulation system in the first embodiment describedpreviously. Other configuration in the second embodiment is similar tothat in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will notbe repeated.

As shown in FIG. 9, unlike shift switch 1100 in the first embodimentdescribed previously, shift switch 1101 in the shift manipulation systemaccording to the present embodiment attains a function as follows. Shiftlever 1102 is moved along a shift-up groove 1132 as shown with an arrow1136, so as to shift up automatic transmission 2100. In addition, shiftlever 1102 is moved along a shift-down groove 1134 as shown with anarrow 1138, so as to shift down automatic transmission 2100. An enginebrake function is attained by shift-down.

Shift switch 1101 further includes an indicator 1140 indicating shiftpositions of automatic transmission 2100, for example, by indicating afirst range as “1” and a second range as “2”.

In the shift manipulation system according to the present embodiment, ina manner similar to the first embodiment described above, the neutralposition recognition time when the shift lever is moved from the homeposition to the neutral position and the neutral position recognitiontime when the shift lever is moved from the forward drive position orthe rearward drive position to the neutral position are set differently.As a result, in a momentary-type shift device, response to the driver'srequest can appropriately be provided.

Third Embodiment

In the following, a shift manipulation system according to a thirdembodiment of the present invention will be described. The shiftmanipulation system according to the present embodiment is differentfrom those in the first and second embodiments in that the neutralposition recognition time is modified depending on a temperature of theshift switch.

FIG. 10 is a control block diagram of a shift manipulation system 102according to the present embodiment. In the control block diagram shownin FIG. 10, the same reference characters refer to the same orcorresponding components in the control block diagram shown in FIG. 1,and functions thereof are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptionthereof will not be repeated.

As shown in FIG. 10, shift manipulation system 102 according to thepresent embodiment further includes a shift switch temperature presumingportion 1300 in addition to the configuration of shift manipulationsystem 100 in the first embodiment described previously. Shift switchtemperature presuming portion 1300 can be implemented, for example, by aroom temperature sensor for an air conditioner in a vehicle.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, shift switch 1100 has a plurality of grooves,which are filled with hydraulic fluid in order for shift lever 1102 toslide. The hydraulic fluid has low viscosity when a temperature is highand has high viscosity when the temperature is low, as the ordinaryhydraulic fluids. When the temperature is low, movement of shift lever1102 becomes slow.

Such a state is shown in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 11, the abscissarepresents an atmospheric temperature of shift switch 1100, and theordinate represents a time required to pass the neutral position whenthe shift lever is moved from the forward drive position or the rearwarddrive position to the home position. The lower the atmospherictemperature of shift switch 1100 is, the lower the temperature of thehydraulic fluid filling shift switch 1100 is, that is, the higher theviscosity is. Therefore, the time required to pass the neutral positionbecomes longer.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, neutral position recognition time TN(2)is set longer as the atmospheric temperature of shift switch 1100 islow. On the other hand, neutral position recognition time TN(2) is setshorter as the atmospheric temperature of shift switch 1100 is high.

In this manner, neutral position recognition time TN(2) is set based onthe atmospheric temperature of shift switch 1100. When the shift leveris moved from the forward drive position or the rearward drive positionto the home position, the neutral position is recognized merely as apoint to pass for returning to the home position. Here, if thetemperature of the hydraulic fluid in shift switch 1100 is low, the timerequired for passing the neutral position becomes longer. Therefore, bysetting neutral position recognition time TN(2) to be longer, even ifthe shift lever moves slow due to low hydraulic fluid temperature andresultant high viscosity, that is, even if the shift lever returnsslowly from the forward drive position or the rearward drive positionvia the neutral position to the home position, the neutral position isrecognized merely as a point to pass, and shift to the neutral positionis not recognized.

Fourth Embodiment

In the following, a shift manipulation system according to a fourthembodiment of the present invention will be described. The shiftmanipulation system according to the present embodiment is characterizedin that the neutral position recognition time is modified depending onwhether the position before the neutral position is passed is the breakposition or positions other than that. It is noted that the controlblock diagram of the shift manipulation system in the present embodimentis the same as that in the first embodiment described above (FIG. 1),and detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

Referring to FIG. 13, a map showing a relation between a position ofshift lever 1102 before passing the neutral position and the neutralposition recognition time will be described. When the position of shiftlever 1102 before passing the neutral position is the brake position,the neutral position recognition time is set to TN(3). On the otherhand, when the position thereof is any position other than the brakeposition, the neutral position recognition time is set to TN(4). Here,neutral position recognition time TN(3) is set to be longer than neutralposition recognition time TN(4). With such a setting, when the positionis changed from the brake position to the forward drive position, theneutral position will not be recognized.

Referring to FIG. 14, a control configuration of a program executed inshift control ECU 1000 in the shift manipulation system in the presentembodiment will now be described. It is noted that the same step numberis given to the same processing in the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 14 andwhat is processed in those steps is also the same. Therefore, detaileddescription thereof will not be repeated.

At S2000, shift control ECU 1000 determines whether or not the storedshift lever position is the brake position. If the stored shift leverposition is the brake position (YES at step S2000), the process proceedsto S2002. Otherwise (NO at step S2000), the process proceeds to S2004.

At S2002, shift control ECU 1000 determines whether or not the count-uptimer value attains TN(3). If the count-up timer value attains TN(3)(YES at S2002), the process proceeds to S1014. If the count-up timervalue does not attain TN(3) (NO at S2002), the process proceeds toS1016.

At S2004, shift control ECU 1000 determines whether or not the count-uptimer value attains TN(4). If the count-up timer value attains TN(4)(YES at S2004), the process proceeds to S1014. If the count-up timervalue does not attain TN(4) (NO at S2004), the process proceeds toS2022.

An operation of the shift manipulation system according to the presentembodiment based on the above-described configuration and the flowchartwill now be discussed.

[When Shift Lever is Located at Brake Position Before Passing NeutralPosition]

An operation when the driver of the vehicle makes a shift from the brakeposition state to the forward drive position state, that is, from enginebrake actuation state to release of engine brake actuation, will bedescribed.

The position of the shift lever is detected (S1000), and the position ofthe shift lever is stored (S1002). Here, it is stored as the brakeposition. When shift lever 1102 is moved from the brake position to theforward drive position, shift lever 1102 is determined to be located atthe neutral position on its way (YES at S1004), and the count-up timerstarts (S1006). As the stored shift lever position is the brake position(YES at S2000), the neutral position is not recognized until thecount-up timer attains TN(3). In other words, as neutral positionrecognition time TN(3) is set to be longer, the neutral position is lesslikely to be recognized.

In this manner, when the shift lever passes the neutral position whenits position is changed from the brake position to the forward driveposition, the neutral position will not be recognized in an unduemanner.

[When Shift Lever is Located at Positions Other than Brake PositionBefore Passing Neutral Position]

As the stored position of shift lever 1102 is not the brake position (NOat S2000), the neutral position is recognized (S1014) when the count-uptimer value attains TN(4) (YES at S2004). Here, as neutral positionrecognition time TN(4) is set to be shorter, the neutral position isrecognized more quickly when the shift lever passes the neutral positionfrom positions other than the brake position.

As described above, according to the shift manipulation system in thepresent embodiment, the time for recognizing the neutral position can beset differently in a case when the shift lever moves from the brakeposition via the neutral position and in a case other than the former.Therefore, the driver's request can appropriately be recognized based onthe time for which the shift lever is held at the neutral position.

Fifth Embodiment

In the following, a shift manipulation system according to a fifthembodiment of the present invention will be described. The shiftmanipulation system according to the present embodiment is characterizedin that the neutral position recognition time is set depending on thestate of the vehicle. It is noted that the control block diagram of theshift manipulation system in the present embodiment is the same as thatin the first embodiment described above (FIG. 1), and detaileddescription thereof will not be repeated.

In the control block diagram shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle speed is inputto shift control ECU 1000 from vehicle information detecting portion3000.

Referring to FIG. 15, a map showing a relation between the state of thevehicle equipped with the shift manipulation system according to thepresent embodiment and the neutral position recognition time will bedescribed.

When the vehicle is in the drive state, the neutral position recognitiontime is set to TN(5), and when the vehicle is at rest, the neutralposition recognition time is set to TN(6). Here, neutral positionrecognition time TN(5) is set to be longer than neutral positionrecognition time TN(6).

Referring to FIG. 16, a control configuration of a program executed inshift control ECU 1000 in the shift manipulation system according to thepresent embodiment will now be described. It is noted that the same stepnumber is given to the same processing in the flowcharts of FIGS. 1 and16 and what is processed in those steps is also the same. Therefore,detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

At S3000, shift control ECU 1000 detects the vehicle speed. Thisprocessing is performed based on the vehicle speed signal input fromvehicle information detecting portion 3000 to shift control ECU 1000.

At S3002, the shift control ECU determines whether or not the detectedvehicle speed is larger than a threshold value .alpha. (.alpha.>0). Ifthe detected vehicle speed is larger than threshold value .alpha. (YESat S3002), the process proceeds to S3004. Otherwise (NO at S3002), theprocess proceeds to S3006.

At S3004, shift control ECU 1000 determines whether or not the count-uptimer value attains TN(5). If the count-up timer value attains TN(5)(YES at S3004), the process proceeds to S1014. If the count-up timervalue does not attain TN(5)(NO at S3004), the process proceeds to S1016.

At S3006, shift control ECU 1000 determines whether or not the count-uptimer value attains TN(6). If the count-up timer value attains TN(6)(YES at S3006), the process proceeds to S1014. If the count-up timervalue does not attain TN(6)(NO at S3006), the process proceeds to S1022.

An operation of the shift manipulation system according to the presentembodiment based on the above-described configuration and the flowchartwill now be discussed.

[When Vehicle is in Drive State]

In the following, an operation of the shift manipulation system when thevehicle is in the drive state will be described.

When the vehicle speed is detected (S3000) and shift lever 1002 comes tothe neutral position (YES at S1004), the count-up timer is started(S1006). As the vehicle speed is larger than threshold value alpha. (YESat S3002), the neutral position is not recognized (S1014) until thecount-up timer value attains TN(5) (YES at S3004).

Here, as the neutral position recognition time TN(5) is set to belonger, the setting is such that the neutral position is less likely tobe recognized when the vehicle is in the drive state. When the vehicleis running, modification of the power transmission state by theautomatic transmission does not tend to be requested because of drivestability of the vehicle. Therefore, the neutral position recognitiontime TN(5) is set to be longer, so that the neutral position is lesslikely to be recognized.

[When Vehicle is at Rest]

In the following, an operation of a shift manipulation system when thevehicle is at rest will be described.

The vehicle speed is detected (S3000) and the vehicle speed is smallerthan threshold value .alpha. (NO at S3002). When the count-up timerattains TN(6) (YES at S3006), the neutral position is recognized(S1014). The neutral position recognition time when the vehicle is atrest is set to be shorter. Therefore, the count-up timer tends to expireat TN(6) (YES at S3006), and the neutral position is readily recognized(S1014).

When the vehicle is at rest or in the low vehicle speed state,modification in the power transmission state by the transmission isrequested. If the neutral position recognition time is set to be short,the neutral position can be recognized by holding of shift lever 1102 bythe driver at the neutral position for a short period of time.

As described above, according to the shift manipulation system in thepresent embodiment, the neutral position recognition time is modifiedbased on the state of the vehicle (vehicle speed). Normally, in the highvehicle speed state, modification in the power transmission state by theautomatic transmission does not tend to be requested because of drivestability of the vehicle. Accordingly, possibility of request for theneutral position is also low and the neutral position recognition timeis set to be longer. On the other hand, when the vehicle speed is low orthe vehicle is at rest, modification in the power transmission state bythe transmission is likely to be requested. Accordingly, the neutralposition recognition time is set to be shorter, so that the neutralposition is readily recognized.

Other Embodiments

In the following, embodiments combining the above-described embodimentswill be described.

For example, a sixth embodiment may be implemented by combining thefourth embodiment and the fifth embodiment. Specifically, the neutralposition recognition time is modified based on whether or not theposition before the neutral position is passed is the brake position aswell as on the vehicle speed, so as to control recognition of theneutral position.

As a seventh embodiment, the shift manipulation system according to thethird to firth embodiments may be applied to shift switch 1101 (FIG. 9)described in connection with the second embodiment.

In addition, a shift manipulation system obtained from any combinationof the shift manipulation systems according to the first to seventhembodiments may be implemented. It is noted that a combination includingopposing conditions is not allowed.

Moreover, a setting may be such that the neutral position is notrecognized under a predetermined condition (recognition of the neutralposition is prohibited), instead of modifying the neutral positionrecognition time when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated indetail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustrationand example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spiritand scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms ofthe appended claims.

1. A shift device of a transmission, comprising: a path for reaching aplurality of shift positions; and a momentary-type movable portionmanipulated so as to move along said path by a driver; wherein saidmovable portion is held at a predetermined home position when it is notmanipulated by the driver, said shift device further comprisesrecognition means for recognizing a shift position requested by thedriver from holding of said movable portion at said shift position for apredetermined recognition time, output means for outputting a controlsignal to said transmission so as to attain a power transmission statecorresponding to said recognized shift position, and detection means fordetecting a speed of a vehicle equipped with said shift device, saidpath includes said home position, a first shift position representingone of the plurality of shift positions, and a second shift positionrepresenting one of the plurality of shift positions and providedbetween said home position and said first shift position, when it isrecognized that said movable portion is located at said first shiftposition, the power transmission state by said transmission is set to afirst state, and when it is recognized that said movable portion islocated at said second shift position, the power transmission state bysaid transmission is set to a second state different from said firststate, and said shift device further comprises modification means formodifying a recognition time for recognizing said second shift positionin accordance with said speed of the vehicle.
 2. The shift device of atransmission according to claim 1, wherein said modification meansincludes means for modification so as to shorten a recognition time forrecognizing said second shift position when the vehicle speed is low. 3.A shift device of a transmission, comprising: a path for reaching aplurality of shift positions; and a momentary-type movable portionmanipulated so as to move along said path by a driver; wherein saidmovable portion is held at a predetermined home position when it is notmanipulated by the driver, said shift device further comprises arecognition circuit to recognize a shift position requested by thedriver from holding of said movable portion at said shift position for apredetermined recognition time, an output circuit to output a controlsignal to said transmission so as to attain a power transmission statecorresponding to said recognized shift position, and a detection circuitto detect a speed of a vehicle equipped with said shift device, saidpath includes said home position, a first shift position representingone of the plurality of shift positions, and a second shift positionrepresenting one of the plurality of shift positions and providedbetween said home position and said first shift position, when it isrecognized that said movable portion is located at said first shiftposition, the power transmission state by said transmission is set to afirst state, and when it is recognized that said movable portion islocated at said second shift position, the power transmission state bysaid transmission is set to a second state different from said firststate, and said shift device further comprises a modification circuit tomodify a recognition time for recognizing said second shift position inaccordance with said speed of the vehicle.
 4. The shift device of atransmission according to claim 3, wherein said modification circuitincludes a circuit to make modification so as to shorten a recognitiontime for recognizing said second shift position when the vehicle speedis low.